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Source: ONE News -
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Police using a crane and cage were raised four storeys on a ship to cut cables securing five Greenpeace protesters.
Police, the Fire Service and private contractors, removed the protesters from two towers on board the East Ambition, which docked in Tauranga Harbour on Wednesday evening.
The police team were raised four storeys above the ground to cut the cables that secured the protesters to the ship's steel cables extending from its cranes.
The five protesters have been charged with illegally boarding a vessel.
Three protesters had already been arrested earlier in the day.
Tauranga Area Commander Inspector Mike Clement said earlier police believed there were 17 protesters in total - 14 on board the ship and three supporting them in an inflatable boat.
He said on Wednesday night he is keen for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible, however, safety remains of paramount concern.
"Even though the ship is no longer at sea, we are still dealing with significant height considerations and we will take as long as we need to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and protesters alike."
The activists are protesting Fonterra's importation of palm kernel for use as stock feed, saying it means the destruction of rainforests.
Have the Greenpeace protestors gone too far? Or do you believe in their cause? Share your opinion on our message board below?
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentjl555 said on 2009-09-18 @ 02:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
How can John Key say that Fonterra purchasing PKE doesn't contribute to deforestation when it is a valuable part of the profits made from the growing of palm oil plants? His ignorance is consistently astounding.
Janeo said on 2009-09-17 @ 12:04 NZDT: Report abusive post
Greenpeace has brought to the public attention yet another unsustainable business practice. Great publicity stunt. I hope John Key will do a lot more research on the subject deforestation and climate change.
Lanary said on 2009-09-17 @ 10:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
I don't know about in indonesia but in malaysia you view from an aeroplane window as you eye can see, they every where, miles and mile of palm oil tree and even in cambodia the same. I don't know about deforesting. The protest gone a bit too far
jheb2007 said on 2009-09-17 @ 09:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
The calls that palm kernel is just a by-product and that it would just rot on the
stojo01 said on 2009-09-17 @ 09:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
Deforestation to plant Palm Oil trees is a major problem in Indonesia. Whether the kernels are a by product or not makes no difference, they still contribute to the commercial success of the plant. Where is the protest against the use of the palm oil plants primary product.?